Girvan lifeboat and the case of the capsized kayak

Girvan's lifeboat crew are familiar faces. Pictured are volunteers with the reigning Civic Queen and court at 2012's Harbour Gala.

GIRVAN lifeboat was launched last Saturday afternoon to provide assistance to the occupant of a kayak which had overturned in Culzean Bay, leaving him clinging to the upturned boat.

With a crew of six, the lifeboat raced to the scene but the kayak’s occupant had already been lifted by a helicopter and taken to Ayr hospital with a slight case of hypothermia.

The kayak had drifted ashore due to the downdraft from the helicopter so the lifeboat crew collected the paddle and the trolley which were passed ashore to the Girvan coastguard team who had also attended the emergency.

Although the real emergency had been dealt with by the helicopter, it was necessary for the lifeboat to be in attendance in case the helicopter had been unable to act.

Girvan lifeboat is available 24 hours a day for every day of the year and a crew of highly-trained volunteers are always on call.

In fact, last Saturday, the coxswain was playing golf and had reached the 18th green with a four foot putt to finish a rather poor round, when the call came, and he lifted his ball to race to the harbour!